It was just a week and a half ago that Glee creator Ryan Murphy announced that several key castmembers were off the show after next season, when their characters would be graduating. Lead characters Cory Monteith, Lea Michele, and Chris Colfer would be seniors next season, after which Murphy claimed they would be leaving. Murphy made it clear that he hadn’t informed all of the actors ahead of time that their time on the show was up, and Chris Colfer later admitted that he found out the news on Twitter. Later, Glee’s Amber Riley said she had no idea if she would be returning to the show after the next season, but added “Whatever happens this third season is what happens… it’s something that’s not that surprising to us.”
In a panel at Comic Con over the weekend, Glee’s executive producer Brad Falchuck said that it wasn’t true that Monteith, Michele and Colfer would all be leaving after next year, and that there were other ways that their characters could continue on the show without staying in high school. He said there probably won’t be a spinoff though. One familiar face that won’t be back on the show is Chord Overstreet, as has been rumored.
Right off the bat, the current situation involving Cory Monteith, Lea Michele, and Chris Colfer graduating and leaving the show for good came up, and executive producer Brad Falchuck finally set the record straight. Plus, what’s the real deal with Chord Overstreet not returning for season three?
Although it was reported by every outlet around that Ryan Murphy announced Michele, Monteith and Colfer would be graduating at the end of next season and not returning to the show in any capacity, Falchuck claims that’s not the case at all.
“They’re seniors. They’re graduating. But [just] because they’re graduating doesn’t mean they’re leaving the show,” he said to the anxious crowd. “If you have Lea Michele under contract, you don’t say, ‘We’re gonna let you go.’ It was never our plan or our intention to let them go. They are not done with the show after this season.”
There you go, Glee fans. Looks like we won’t be seeing the last of Rachel, Finn and Kurt after season three.
Falchuck also spoke about the Overstreet situation, claiming they did ask him back, but he declined. “We did invite him back for a portion of the season, to see if being a regular was a possibility,” he explained. “But he declined the offer, which we were really disappointed by.”
It’s an unfortunate circumstance, because according to the show runners, they had a lot planned for him in season three. “We wanted him back because we like Chord personally and had some good stories planned for him and with Mercedes (Amber Riley). He decided he would have opportunities elsewhere that he would like to pursue, and we can’t force him to work, so we wished him well.”
[From E! Online]
It sounds like there’s a voice of reason among the management on that show after all. And it sounds like Lea Michele’s lawyers gave her employers a call and let them know they couldn’t just fire her through the press. Good for them.
Do you think that Glee Project reality competition show has Murphy assuming that he can get more compliant talent much cheaper? There’s still the issue of a toxic work environment.
Photo credit: Fame pictures
I really warmed up to Chord Overstreet I wish he had decided to stay. Let’s see how the rest plays out.
Hey Brad is from Boston…he’s a Red Sox fan! Great to see him having such success in Hollywood. He is an awesome guy and deserves it!
IF the show lasts longer than season 3. Ryan Murphy has not made a lot of friends in Hollywood and it’s pretty apparent he’s a total douche, which is turning a lot of people off from the show. The rumors of on-set toxicity that Ryan perpetuates isn’t helping either and probably why Chord declined to return. I would not be surprised if the show took a ratings plunge this season and I would be even less surprised if the show was immediately canceled when it does. If of anything, I can see Ryan Murphy getting fired from his own show if the Executive Producers are going against him. It’s my hope his days are numbered just because of the Kings of Leon situation.
By the way: is it just me or does Glee strike anyone else as Degrassi: The Musical?
I hate this show.
So sad, because I *loved* the first episode and raved about it to everyone I know.
1- It’s ridiculous how’s there’s NO continuity! The characters’ personalities change depending on which songs they’re doing each week!
2- Too many guest stars. I like Idina Menzel and liked Kristin Chenowith as April at first… but now it’s ridiculous with Gwyneth Paltrow showing up whenever she likes. Etc! Takes away from a show that already has too many characters!
3- The focus on Blaine was the last straw! He is a talented guy but the favoritism from the writers was so grating!
4- It’s apparent that Ryan Murphy is huge prick! I can’t stand the guy and the way he went after the Kings of Leon and other artists for not selling out was uncalled for! He can’t see the writing is already on the wall, as his stupid show has DEFINITELY jumped the shark already.
I wish the cast well because they seem like a great group of kids.
Chord is also dating Emma Roberts who dated Dianna Agron’s ex, Alex Pettyfer. Emma seems to hate things like Glee and Twilight and be snotty towards other young stars who are not in her clique of friends. But then I think I saw that she and Dianna Agron have some mutual friends…so I don’t know.
I guess initially I thought she was advising Chord against resigning. But what is being said here makes more sense if it’s true.
Agree gossip owl and iggles. I’ll be astonished if the show lasts longer than three years; have the ratings stayed flat or fallen; RM thinks he’s shakespeare or sophocles of network tv but you’re no genius if you feature goopy of all celebs. Too many guest stars and if I want to hear proud mary I’ll listen to CCR or Ike and Tina’s version not glorified karoake. Count me as a pessimist but by today’s low pop standards the cast may be musically talented but try to imagine any of the females singing Proud Mary live straight up the way tina turner knocked it out back in the day – it will never happen. I don’t see a big future in music for these people; the marketing and publicity for Glee much exceeds it’s actual popularity.
Too bad. I was so looking forward to Michele being gone. Guess I won’t watch it anymore if she stays. They destroy the songs anyway.
IDK the show was great the first season, but too much drama the second. I stopped watching it because it was trying to get all “after school special” every week.
But aren’t they all seniors? Single one of them? Shouldn’t they graduate all? And I always thought that Kurt was David Silver of Glee. The one who is year younger that everybody else. He looks so young. He looks like he is at least 2 years younger then any other character.
In fact he is the only one who looks like a school boy. It’s even uncomfortable when he is dating Blaine. Blaine looks like he is teacher. He looks much older and mature then Kurt.
Oh and yeah – that story smelled from the beginning. I could believe that they would drop Corey and Lea. But they would never drop their beloved Kurt.
And Chord’s story smells too. I don’t believe that he is so stupid to leave show. THEY kicked him out and now can’t “man up” to their own decision and make him look like a fool.
Glee is kidzbop for teenagers. imo
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